6 Ups & 5 Downs From WWE SmackDown (10 April - Results & Review)
3. We Don’t Need Royce Keys In MFTs
Right, story time.
Solo Sikoa interrupted a Royce Keys promo to say he “runs things around here on SmackDown”. Then, the ex-Bloodline man told Keys to call on him if there’s “anything” he needs. Fingers crossed this doesn’t lead to Royce becoming part of Solo’s MFTs faction, because that’s the last thing he needs. It really wouldn't be good for him; Keys needs to stand alone on his own merits.
If he turns heels shortly after debuting properly on TV, then he'll sink into the background alongside the likes of Tama Tonga, Talla Tonga and JC Mateo as just another one of Sikoa's heavies. Hell, it wouldn't even be satisfying if Royce replaced Tama in the MFTs. Keep him as far away from that group as possible, 'cause they've been sucking wind for ages and will ruin any momentum Keys is trying to build.
Internally, WWE may reason that aligning with an established act would help Royce. If that's the rationale Triple H wants to use, then fine, but don't go moaning when Keys enters 50/50 booking territory and fails to connect with the audience. It's solo spotlight he needs, not sharing said spotlight with Solo. Be very careful here, writing team. You don't want to make Royce just another guy on the roster, surely.
Hopefully, Keys tells Solo to beat it and that leads to a few matches between them at most. If so, then cool. At least then the MFTs would be away from the dreaded Wyatt Sicks and all of their humdrum silliness.